If you’ve ever considered selling digital templates as a way to make passive income, you’re not alone. With the rise of side hustles, digital products, and online marketplaces, more people are turning their design skills into profitable businesses. And the best part? You don’t need to be a professional graphic designer to get started.
I’ve spent years in content creation and digital marketing, and I can tell you that selling printables and digital templates is one of the easiest and most scalable ways to generate income online. Whether it’s planners, business templates, or social media graphics, people are willing to pay for beautifully designed, ready-to-use digital files.
Unlike physical products, selling digital downloads means no inventory, no shipping, and minimal ongoing work. You create a product once and sell it over and over again—a true passive income model. But, like any business, success doesn’t happen by accident. You need the right marketing strategies, pricing models, and platforms to make consistent sales.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selling digital templates—from choosing the most profitable designs to marketing your products effectively. By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step strategy to start and scale your passive income side hustle with confidence.
This post is Secret #7 – Selling Digital Templates & Printables, of the main article; 10 Secret Ways That Good Side Hustles Make Money. You can go there to read about brilliant and easy ways that side hustles make money online.
What Are Digital Templates and Printables?
Digital templates and printables are ready-made, customizable files that users can download and use instantly. They are designed to save time and effort for individuals and businesses looking for pre-made solutions for their creative or professional needs.
Understanding Digital Templates
Digital templates are editable files that can be used for various purposes, including business presentations, marketing materials, planners, and design projects. They often come in formats such as PSD, AI, PDF, Canva, or Excel, allowing users to modify and personalize them.
Popular examples include:
- Social media templates for Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
- Business templates like invoices, resumes, and PowerPoint slides.
- Marketing materials such as brochures, email signatures, and website banners.
What Are Printables?
Printables are static digital files that customers can download, print, and use immediately. These are great for planners, wall art, educational worksheets, or checklists. Unlike templates, printables are usually non-editable and designed to be printed for personal or business use.
Selling digital templates and printables is a lucrative side hustle because they require minimal ongoing effort. Once created, they can be sold repeatedly with no additional production costs, making them an excellent passive income opportunity.
Why Selling Digital Templates & Printables is a Profitable Side Hustle
Selling digital templates is one of the most lucrative and scalable ways to generate passive income. Unlike physical products, digital templates don’t require shipping, storage, or production costs. Once you create a template, you can sell it an unlimited number of times without additional effort.
The Growing Market Demand
Consumers are increasingly turning to digital downloads for convenience and affordability. Business owners, students, freelancers, and creatives all seek pre-designed templates to save time and effort. Whether it’s social media graphics, business planners, or resume templates, there is a steady demand for well-designed digital products.
Benefits of Selling Digital Templates
- Low Startup Costs – You don’t need expensive equipment or inventory to get started. A computer and design software are enough.
- High-Profit Margins – Since there are no production costs, nearly every sale is pure profit.
- Passive Income Potential – Create a template once and sell it repeatedly without additional work.
- Scalability – Easily expand your product line by adding different template styles or bundles.
The best part? You can automate sales using platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, and Gumroad, allowing you to earn money even while you sleep.
How to Choose the Best Digital Templates to Sell
Not all digital templates are equally profitable. To succeed, you need to focus on high-demand niches that attract consistent buyers. This is how to find profitable digital products to sell.
Researching Market Trends
Start by exploring marketplaces like Etsy, Creative Market, and Pinterest to identify the most popular templates. Look for:
- Best-selling products in your niche.
- Customer reviews to see what buyers appreciate or need improvements on.
- Trending keywords and categories that indicate growing demand.
High-Demand Digital Templates
Some of the best-selling digital templates include:
- Business & Marketing – Social media graphics, business cards, PowerPoint presentations.
- Finance & Productivity – Budget planners, invoice templates, goal-setting worksheets.
- Education & Organization – Study guides, printable calendars, digital journals.
Identifying Your Strengths
Choose a category that aligns with your skills and interests. If you enjoy designing social media content, consider Instagram or Pinterest templates. If you have a background in business, financial planners or business proposal templates may be a great fit.
By focusing on a profitable niche with steady demand, you can maximize your earning potential and establish a successful template business.
How to Create High-Quality Digital Templates That Sell
Once you’ve identified profitable digital templates, the next step is to create high-quality designs that attract buyers and encourage repeat sales.
Essential Design Tools
Invest in user-friendly design software to create professional-looking templates. Popular options include:
- Canva – Ideal for beginners creating social media graphics, planners, and presentations.
- Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop – Best for advanced users who need highly customizable templates.
- Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets – Great for financial planners, budget templates, and tracking sheets.
Best Practices for Creating High-Quality Templates
- User-Friendly Layouts – Ensure your templates are easy to edit and customize.
- Aesthetic Appeal – Use trendy fonts, colors, and layouts that appeal to your target audience.
- Multiple File Formats – Offer templates in PDF, PNG, PSD, AI, or Excel formats to increase usability.
- Test Before Selling – Double-check formatting, usability, and functionality to ensure a seamless experience for buyers.
Adding Value to Your Templates
- Create a bundle – Sell templates as part of a package deal to increase perceived value.
- Offer different versions – Provide color variations or additional elements to enhance usability.
- Include an instructional guide – A quick how-to guide helps beginners use the template efficiently.
By following these design best practices, you’ll create templates that stand out from competitors and generate consistent passive income.
Where to Sell Digital Templates & Printables
Finding the right platform is crucial for success when selling digital templates. The best marketplace depends on your niche, target audience, and marketing strategy. Here are some of the most effective platforms for selling your digital products.
Top Marketplaces for Digital Templates
- Etsy: One of the largest platforms for printables and digital downloads. It’s ideal for planners, invitations, wall art, and business templates. With millions of active buyers, Etsy is a great place to start.
- Creative Market: If you create high-quality design templates, fonts, or branding materials, this platform is perfect for reaching creative professionals.
- Gumroad & Payhip: Great for independent sellers who want full control over their pricing and branding.
- Envato Elements & GraphicRiver: Perfect for selling business and marketing templates to agencies and corporate users.
Selling on Your Own Website
If you want higher profit margins and complete control over your brand, consider setting up your own digital shop.
- Use Shopify, WooCommerce, or Sellfy to create an online store for your digital downloads.
- Implement email marketing and SEO strategies to drive traffic and boost conversions.
- Offer bundles, upsells, and memberships to maximize revenue.
By strategically choosing the best sales platform, you can reach the right audience and optimize your earnings.
How to Market & Sell Digital Templates Successfully
Once your digital templates are ready, the next step is getting them in front of potential buyers. Effective marketing ensures consistent sales and helps you stand out in a crowded marketplace.
SEO Optimization for Marketplaces & Websites
- Use high-ranking keywords in your product titles, descriptions, and tags.
- Optimize product listings on Etsy, Creative Market, and your website for better search visibility.
- Write compelling product descriptions that highlight features, benefits, and use cases.
Leveraging Social Media for Marketing
- Pinterest Marketing: Create eye-catching pins linking to your store. Pinterest is a powerful platform for driving organic traffic to digital products.
- Instagram & TikTok: Share behind-the-scenes content, product previews, and customer testimonials to build engagement.
- Facebook Groups & Reddit: Join niche communities and participate in discussions to share your templates with potential buyers.
Email Marketing & Lead Magnets
- Offer a free template in exchange for an email subscription.
- Set up an automated email sequence to nurture leads and promote new digital products.
- Use email campaigns to announce sales, discounts, and exclusive offers.
Running Paid Ads for Higher Conversions
- Use Facebook & Instagram Ads to target specific audiences interested in digital downloads.
- Pinterest Ads can boost visibility for your templates among DIY enthusiasts and entrepreneurs.
- Optimize ad copy and visuals to emphasize the value and ease of use of your templates.
Pricing Strategies for Digital Templates
Setting the right price for your digital templates can make or break your sales. You need a strategy that maximizes profitability while remaining attractive to buyers. Since digital products can be sold indefinitely, pricing should reflect value, demand, and competition.
Competitive Pricing vs. Premium Pricing
- Competitive Pricing: If you’re selling on Etsy, Creative Market, or Gumroad, research similar templates and set a price within the industry standard. This ensures your templates remain affordable and competitive.
- Premium Pricing: If your templates offer unique value—such as customizable options, exclusive designs, or bundled features—you can charge a higher price.
Multiple Pricing Tiers for Higher Revenue
- Basic Version: A low-cost option with standard features.
- Premium Version: Includes extra customization, extended licenses, or multiple file formats.
- Commercial License: Allows businesses to use your template for multiple clients, priced higher for commercial value.
Testing & Adjusting Pricing
- Run A/B pricing tests to see which price point leads to the highest conversions.
- Offer limited-time discounts or bundles to encourage larger purchases.
By using a tiered pricing model, you can appeal to both budget-conscious customers and those willing to pay a premium for higher-value templates.
How to Scale Your Digital Template Business
Once you start making sales, the next step is scaling your digital template business to increase revenue and grow your brand.
Expanding Your Product Line
- Add variations of best-selling templates (e.g., different colors, themes, or industries).
- Bundle similar templates together to increase average order value.
- Create seasonal or niche-specific templates to cater to different audiences.
Automating & Outsourcing
- Use automation tools like Canva’s Brand Kit, Photoshop actions, or batch editing in Illustrator to streamline the design process.
- Hire freelancers to help with design, marketing, or customer support to free up your time.
Leveraging Multiple Platforms
- Expand beyond Etsy and Creative Market by selling on your own website using Shopify or WooCommerce.
- Offer templates on exclusive marketplaces like Envato Elements to tap into different audiences.
- Use affiliate marketing by letting bloggers and influencers promote your templates for a commission.
By diversifying sales channels and outsourcing repetitive tasks, you can focus on creating more templates and growing your business without being overwhelmed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Digital Templates
While selling digital templates is a lucrative business, many sellers make avoidable mistakes that impact their success. Here are the top pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Skipping Market Research
- Creating templates without validating demand leads to slow sales.
- Always analyze best-selling products on Etsy, Pinterest, and Creative Market to ensure you’re designing templates that people actually want.
Poor Product Presentation
- Low-quality mockups and unattractive product images turn buyers away.
- Invest in high-quality thumbnails, detailed previews, and clean product descriptions to boost conversions.
Ignoring SEO & Marketing
- Even the best templates won’t sell without proper visibility.
- Optimize your listings with relevant keywords, long-tail SEO strategies, and compelling descriptions.
- Promote on Pinterest, Instagram, and email lists to drive traffic.
Overcomplicating Designs
- Templates should be easy to use and customize for customers.
- Provide clear instructions and ensure that files are compatible with popular design tools like Canva and Adobe.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll increase your chances of consistent sales and long-term success in the digital template business.
Final Thought
After years of working in digital marketing and content creation, I can confidently say that selling digital templates is one of the best ways to generate passive income online. It’s scalable, requires minimal upfront investment, and has endless potential if you choose the right niche and marketing strategy.
The key to success is simple: Create high-quality, in-demand templates, optimize your listings for SEO, and promote your digital products through social media and email marketing. With the right approach, you can turn this into a reliable stream of income that grows over time.
If you’re serious about making money with digital templates and printables, start researching best-selling designs, test different platforms, and refine your strategy as you go. The more effort you put into optimizing your listings and marketing your products, the more you’ll see results.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Have you started selling digital templates yet? What challenges or successes have you experienced? Drop a comment below and let’s chat!
